Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-08-05
Death of VIM. G. Thompson, Esq.

The following notice of the death and
tribute Of respect to the memory Of VIM.
G.. Thompson, Esq, native Of Wood
stock but for many years prominent and
highly respected citizen Of Rockingham
county, is repuhlished by request and is
from the Rockingham Register of Nov.
9TH, lss5:
CAS- has already been announced through
the columns of the Register, this aged and
honorcd citizen Of Rockingham closed his
earthly career AT his home in Timberville.
on Monday. October 49, lS-1. aged -
years, months and II days.
Occupying as he had for the past half
century. more than an ordinary position
in the esteem of his cOuntrymen, and the
business affairs of Rockingham, we deem
il due 10 his memory and his many friends
that more than a passing notice OF his
decease be given through these columns
He was born in Woodstock, Shenandoah
county, on the 9Th of March, lE@, but
settled in Timberville in the year lo2l,
where he made his residence to the time
Of his death. He was distinguished for
his probity OF character, great business
industry. and mentally was possessed OF
the keenest sagacity in relation to all
public questions affecting his neighbor-
hood and county. And the people of
Rockingham duly appreciated these quail
ties of the man, by elcciing him first as a
magistrate in the days when those officials
constituted our County Court, then a
/ Commissioner in Chancery for the County
/ Court, in which capacity he settled mp
perhaps a. many estates as any man VINO
| ever lived in the county, and IN the years
/ of l-66 aud 1857 he was elected To repre-
sent Rockingham in the House OF Dele
gates. In all of these positions he was
ever iound honest, faithful, efficient ana
just. He possessed in an eminent degree
that stern honesty and integrity OF charac
ter which will ever be looked upon as the
chief virtue of the old Virginia gentleman
During his long life he accumulated
considerable property, but there was never
q time during his whole history when
"Uncle Billy" was not ready to help those
who showed disposition to help them
selves.
The people Of Timbervlllc were NOR
than once given practical proof oil hl'
charitable feelings, rs he gave to two
denominations of that place land upoi
which TO erect houses of WORSHIP, ana III
also gave site for a public free schoo
house.
In his business as n merchant he wa
brought in contact with very many people
and their confidence in his honesty an'
Judgment made him for many, many year
the counselor and friend of his ncIghbor
in most Of their business transaction
where sound advice and legal information
was deemed necessary.
Mr. Thompson left no children. Ill
wife, who died many years before him, wa
sister Of Judge Penny hacker, who 81
ably represented Virginia in the l.
Senate.
Mr. Thompson was member OF n
church, but it can he trnthfully said h
was the noblest work of GOd-an homes
man.
Thus has passed from the land of III
living one of the few remaining Ink
binding the present with the past century
Born before General Washington died, h
witnessed the progress and development
Of our great Republic, and in his humbl
way contributed his mite of labor an
character towards the up-bmlding of th
grand governmental structure .of whic
we all now boast.
lie witnessed the second war for Indt
pendence, was past middle age whe
Mexico was conquered, and his gray hail
were upon him "a he watched the struggl
between the States. The changes and ad
vancement in the United States which h
witnessed, and in which no took always
lively interest, would ill vast volum,
but what he saw, and what he felt, j
with the past, and he is no more, but thu
virtues he practioed will long live in til
hearts of his neighbors and friends.
Nav he rest in peace